The winter season is fast approaching, and many homeowners are turning to viable materials such as concrete and fiberglass to insulate their houses, ensuring warmth in the colder months and coolness in the summer. But imagine if one could install a material that not only performs these functions but also reduces energy costs, is fire-resistant, and offers soundproofing as well. An England-based company has developed an innovative insulation solution that meets that very criteria!
Introducing aerogel, a new contender in the insulation market
In 2023, Aerogel Core Ltd. was founded by a team of engineers originally based at the University of Bath. Funded by Innovate UK, they sought to develop an eco-friendly solution to address the issue of high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the commercial sector.
Resultantly, the team created an ultra-light, low-carbon “aerogel” composed of graphene, a synthetic material manufactured by substituting the liquid component found in gels with gas, making it incredibly lightweight and durable.
In appearance, the aerogel is cylindrical in shape and low density in composition; notably, it features a porous “honeycomb” gel structure, one that can retain its shape and size without the risk of collapsing.
The ecological benefits of aerogel insulation simply cannot be ignored
In contrast to regular insulators, graphene-based aerogels offer a wide range of eco-friendly properties, such as:
Heat-Shielding: The aerogel’s porosity enables it to act as an effective heat insulator. This allows it to maintain thermal stability, withstand high temperatures, prevent electromagnetic interference, and make it resistant to fire.
Sound-Proofing: The unique composition of the aerogel’s honeycomb structure is designed specifically to absorb sound and cut down on noise.
Energy Efficiency: The insulation properties of the aerogels reduce the need for homeowners, businesses, and organizations to spend more on heating and cooling, resulting in reduced utility bills.
CO2 Reduction: Most importantly, the process to develop aerogel from a sustainable, high-performing material like graphene not only generates less waste but also leads to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases.
Aerogel insulator “contributes to society”
Already, Aerogel Core Ltd. is looking to apply their aerogel insulator in a number of commercial sectors, particularly the aforementioned aerospace and automotive industries.
Gian-Piero Malfense Fierro, a researcher at the University of Bath who worked on the development of the aerogel, gives an example: “Our initial calculations for a 280 aircraft fleet… would see an estimated 30-90 tonne reduction in CO2 emissions per year by using our material, due to reducing the weight of similar materials by up to 50%.”
Fierro’s colleague, Professor Michele Meo, is confident that the aerogel has the potential to make a significant environmental impact due to its unique, sustainable properties.
“The funding we have received from Innovate UK proves that our research is not just theoretical or done in the lab but has real-world application and, most importantly, contributes to society,” stated Professor Meo.
He added, “Having spun out, we now intend to reach other markets, such as the automotive, marine, and acoustic insulation, further supporting government targets of building back greener.”
As you can see, this graphene-based aerogel is shaping up to be a game-changer in the insulation market, with the team at Aerogel Core Ltd. making incredible progress to apply it in major commercial sectors. Although there’s no word on when it will become available for residential use, it remains an attractive option for those seeking an eco-friendly and more efficient alternative to other insulators currently on the market. With continued research and funding, it is with fervent hope that this aerogel will one day become a mainstay of insulation solutions for homes everywhere.